News and observations of life in the foothills of western North Carolina

Friday, October 28, 2011

Protected by the Law?

I’m no lawyer, but I do know that laws don’t protect people from what may happen to them; rather, laws describe the consequences for transgressors of the law if they get caught breaking that law. Therefore, one should never trust The Law to keep them safe. For example, the fact that pedestrians are to be given the right-of-way at intersections should give no one the confidence to walk out in front of a moving vehicle, especially in areas frequented by drivers who do not recognize pedestrians (or bicycles, dogs, etc.) to be legitimate occupants of the roadway. Yes, if the vehicle hits you, you can make the case that the driver was in the wrong (or your family can, if you are killed;) but the law will not keep you from being injured. You should take preemptive action to protect yourself by not walking in traffic.

Since laws do not protect us from harm, we should, and indeed should be required, to take preemptive action to keep ourselves and our families safe. This means, among other things, the carrying of a means of defense of ourselves and of others, if need be. This means carrying it everywhere. Yes, I’m talking about a handgun. A concealed handgun “permit” holder should be allowed to carry anywhere, especially public places like schools and businesses. (The holder should not need a permit, but that’s the subject of another discussion.) If denied that right to defend himself, the CHP holder should stay away from those places and businesses. If a government facility or business denies your right to carry on its property, then the operator of that facility assumes responsibility for your safety. But just like the pedestrian, don’t assume that promise will keep you safe. Sadly, the truth is that those government officials and business owners don’t trust law abiding citizens to do the right thing.

This flies in the face of the US Constitution, not to mention the North Carolina Constitution Bill of Rights of 1776, which states: “[T]he people have a right to bear arms, for the defence (sic) of the State; and, as standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up; and that the military should be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.” - North Carolina Ratifying Convention, Declaration of Rights and Other Amendments, § XVII (1776) http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/bill_of_rightss10.html.

“Oh, it’s not the lawful ones we’re worried about! It’s the criminals!” Is your mind so clouded by your belief in the basic goodness of people that you really think a sticker on a door is going to be obeyed by someone up to no good, who knows that there is no one standing between him and his criminal intent? You’re placing a huge bet on that chance. I’d sooner buy a lottery ticket.